06/02/2024
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR STREET CHILDREN
In 1989, the United Nations held a Convention on the Rights of the Child. According to what was discussed at the convention, rights that all children in the world should have included the right to a stable, loving, and nurturing environment; healthcare and nutrition; clean water and electric power; equal opportunities; and to live in dignity and freedom.
Children living on the street do not have these rights. Organizations such as the Consortium for Street Children (C.S.C.) are trying to enact the Four Steps to Equality to alleviate the dangers that street children find themselves in. These steps include making a commitment to equality, protecting every child, providing access to services, and creating new solutions.
According to recent statistics, up to 150 million children around the world live on the street. Some children live on the street with their families, while others spend the majority of their time on the street begging for food and money, but return home at night. Some children live on the street as orphans with no family or no home to return to. Needless to say, these children are denied many basic human rights.
There are many reasons why children end up on the street. One of the most common reasons involves living in a situation inflicted by war and conflict. Children in this situation are either separated from their family or their family members have died. Some children leave home voluntarily because they are abused by family members. Other reasons might include rejection by their family, having health issues, or being forced into criminal activity. No matter what the case is, street children are often denied an education, health care, and opportunities to live a dignified life.